really can't decide what kind of dog to get

[canislupis]

Having decided that now is the right time to get a dog, we are utterly bemused trying to work out what kind of dog to get and where from...

What we want in a dog - fairly active, we live in the country and DH runs, but with a good off switch so it isn't bouncing around the walls constantly like our friend's manic sprocker, medium to large in size, biddable, intelligent and friendly.

What we don't want - DH flatly refuses to have a dog that needs to wear clothes, so no greyhounds. (Do lurchers have to wear clothes in the winter too?) We would prefer a less barky dog, so no JRT etc (although I love their robust natures). We don't want something that sheds constantly, out of preference.

But what we are also struggling to decide is whether to choose a dog breed and get one from a breeder, or be much more open and try to rehome a puppy/young dog including mongrels. We are not sure about this path because we have young children and we worry about socialisation of the dog, unknown traumas etc. However, our last much loved dog was a mongrel who adopted us while we were living abroad, so I think we hanker after someone like him, but feel uncertain about going down the rescue route.

Advice on breeds, what to do etc appreciated!

Well, we have a springer spaniel rescue. Adopted at age 3.
he fits all your criteria. As long as he has had his walk/run, he is happy to sleep all day.
Fun and intelligent to interact with, soppy and cuddly when you want to chill.

But that is really his personality, and it is hard to tell.

My friend has a labrador that also pretty much fits all your criteria, they got her as a puppy, but looked for a mother dog that was gentle natured and that is exactly what their dog is.

Rescue dogs can be great, we did it, but it can be hard to see what their personality is, as they come out of their shell as they gradually relax. Rehoming is easier, as you can ask more about what they are like.

Labrador or golden retriever (or ideally a cross between the two)

Labs and retrievers both shed bucketloads!

What about a spaniel of some variety?

I'm biased, but lurchers are fab for being active when you want, and snoring when you don't! There are loads in rescue through no fault of their own from puppies right through. One of mine is very greyhoundy so does need a coat in the winter, but the dark one hates wearing them.
Both of them love going running with me, or coming mountain biking but will equally snooze all day (they are both snoring now in the sun).

I foster puppies for EGLR and we do rehome to families with young children, cats etc as we get to know them really well and can match dogs and people. Just waiting for my next pup to arrive!

DH has veto'd spaniels as "the feathers annoy him". We do both prefer short coated dogs.

CMOTDibbler, the more I hear about lurchers the more I think they are right for us. Do they shed much?

Also, DH thinks greyhounds are dim (this thread is turning into DH's canine prejudices!)... if that is true, does the same apply to lurchers?

They absolutely are not dim! Very clever dogs and great fun big babies

For more confirmation....
Top pic is the dd enjoying a post walk snooze.
Underneath is her dm enjoying a bedtime story with ds.
I cant stress enough how perfect our Lurchers are as a family pet! They bark to order, don't like clothes, tho a cuddle in a blanket is always well received, adore visitors and even our dcats! They gaze at dc like they actually bore them!!

DH has veto'd spaniels as "the feathers annoy him". We do both prefer short coated dogs.

My spaniel has a short coat because we have him clipped every 5-6 weeks. If you aren't bothered about their coats being 'show worthy' then you can have them cut shorter.

Border terrier- mine is amazing, mental out the house but an absolute lap dog as soon as we are home. She's a friendly baby and not barky at all.

Spaniels can be clipped to have a shorter coat.

What about a schnauzer or a poodle? Neither of them really shed (although both need regular grooming) and they're both very intelligent dogs. Schnauzers can be quite barky though.

How old are your children?

Cocker spaniel fits your criteria. Very active outside and my 2 then sleep most of the day. Dog clippers are £20 off amazon... feathers sorted!

Mine don't shed - they are very short haired, and its pretty sparse on ddog1 (hence the coats). Mine aren't stupid - they recall, sit, lie down on command and could do more if I wanted to teach them. It does vary depending on the exact cross - I had one pup who was a bearded collie x greyhound and he was super bright (which has its downside, he needed mental stimulation).
They come in all sorts of colours and coat types too - these are a few of my foster pups

You need a pointer (they find in smaller sizes as well as ginormous). Our boy came from here and is perfect

I think you will need to accept the possibility that a short coated dog will need a coat in midwinter - DDog wouldn't manage without one and he's otherwise physically as tough as old boots.

Otherwise, may I suggest a collie or collie cross? Would love to go running, very intelligent (so much so that you do need to keep them entertained; people often take up classes like agility, flyball or competition obedience with them). They're a common find in rescues, so you've a good range to choose from.

Apart from the advantage of avoiding the arsehole puppy stage, the advantage of going for a young adult dog would be that you don't have to wait for them to be old enough and have sufficiently developed joints to go running.

GSD. Mine are the perfect family dog. Friendly, love running, love lying around the house as much. Intelligent, quick to train and I don’t mind walking rurally by myself as I know they tend to put people off approaching. They are also not huge (30kg) but not tiny either.

Basically tick every box but the shedding one. They both shed to some extent all year round although they do tend to blow coats once a year which is a bad few weeks. I groom regularly and it keeps it to a minimum though.

Failing that I would say go to a rescue and pick up some sort of collie cross type which always seem to be fab dogs no matter the mix!

Does your DH want the dog to run with him? If so I’d not get a greyhound, mine was wildly unimpressed at the notion of ‘going for a run’.

Chuck a ball in the garden and he’ll sprint like a cheetah. No interest in any kind of endurance running though.

Amazing dogs though! And mine certainly isn’t dim. He’s incredibly biddable and gentle.

A lurcher might work better depending on the cross.

yes greyhounds are not dogs to run with, they like sprint and sleep!
But I would be wary of getting a collie unless it will get the stimulation, they need lots of either exercise or training. A bored collie can be destructive

really a labrador sounds perfect.
Every dog will shed, just brush them and buy a good hoover!

Sorry...I missed the bit about shedding! To be fair though I've had springers before and they used to shed just as much. Buy a big bag of lint rollers and only wear beige clothes.

Agree with pointer, lovely lovely underrated dogs.

We have a Cockapoo. She is absolutely amazing, great personality, non moulting. We have two young children too, and she is great with them.

Standard poodle? No shedding, very intelligent, friendly and biddable.
Great with people/children, other dogs and animals providing they are socialised appropriately. Keep the coat short all over 1/2 inch or so, no need for shaved face/feet if you don't like it. Retrieving breed so very suitable for country living.

Labrador